Happenings 17.10.19
DOING: sitting next to Walt, while he naps on the bed. He’s been super wakeful during this nap, so I’m staying close to rest my hand on his belly when he rouses.
HEARING: his sleepy music, which I always play during his naps.
LOOKING: at Walt’s knitted jacket. It’s lying on the bed beside my computer. My MIL made it and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Melbourne weather continues to demand a varied wardrobe. One day it’s hot and sunny, the next it’s cold and grey.
DRINKING: a coffee. It’s good and hot and I’d like five more, please.
EATING + COOKING: lots of veggies - even more than usual. Life has been quite busy for our little family, and to keep us feeling energised I’ve been loading us up with hearty, brothy, veggie-rich meals like vegetable curry, dhal and frittata with roasted vegetables. Joan and Walt love frittata. I’ll make one for dinner and we’ll eat leftovers for lunch the next day. Lately I’ve been using leek instead of onion and skipping the cheese, adding instead 1/2 cup cream.
Oh and I have a new favourite breakfast! Dad’s sourdough bread toasted and topped with ghee, cashew butter, raspberry jam and hemp seeds. It’s spectacularly delicious.
DECIDING: what to make for Walt’s birthday lunch on the weekend. The weather looks to be cold and rainy, so I’m thinking dhal with homemade flatbreads. He loves dhal. My little love, turning one…
ENJOYING: seeing my book being read by so many of you. Hearing that it’s resonating with people, and that it’s helping them to be kind to themselves, is everything I could have hoped for. This review by the crew at Readings made me cry.
WATCHING: Secret Bridesmaids’ Business, so I can see my friend George doing her thing. And most evenings I’ll watch part of an episode of Britain’s Best Bakery. It’s not a particularly great show but the English countryside and baked goods make me happy.
READING: Educated by Tara Westover. I’m still not finished! I know, I’m taking forever. It’s so good, I’m just slow.
WEARING: most days it’s jeans and a white tshirt, or a flowy dress.
BUYING: we bought a shape sorter ball thingo for Walt for his birthday. Typical second child, that’s all he’ll get because he already has so much in the way of Joan’s hand-me-downs. Though we do plan on letting him have a super long bath (his favourite thing ever) and cooking him his favourite foods, including crepes!
PLANNING: whether we can come interstate for book meet-ups. It’s taking some time to coordinate it all with the sales managers, bookstores and Ben’s work schedule. I’m really hoping we have it all figured out soon.
PLAYING: Joan has really been enjoying playing memory - you know, that game where you lay cards down and have to pick up two, hoping to get a match. We like to play using my old set of Jolly Postman cards. Walt is mostly into pushing stools around the house, which is more of a solo game.
CRAVING: veggie curry and coffee. I’ve also been dreaming of chocolate mousse. This recipe is exceptional, in case you feel like making some yourself. And carrot cake! A few months ago I mentioned I had a hankering for carrot cake, and I still haven’t gotten around to making one.
LOVING: talking about my book and connecting with fellow mothers, whether at book parties or via podcast interviews (I had another one yesterday). We had a book party last week with fiends, family and some lovely people I’ve met through instagram, and it went so fast and I was so busy chatting that I didn’t take any photos. It was just lovely; I wish I could do it all again. And this time I’d take at least one photograph of Ben, Joan, Walt and me together, holding the book. Ben is so proud, it just about breaks my heart.
SAVOURING: being the author of a newly released book feels like a big deal, and I’m savouring this special time.
FEELING: nostalgic. My baby is turning one! I’m also feeling energised by the response to my book, and excited about where this work might take me next.
Happenings posts inspired by Pip.
Heidi xo